Bullish Ballivor determined to go one step further

JFC PREVIEW

It's often said there are few outcomes as spirit-crushing and morale-sapping as losing a semi-final.

There's not even the consolation of getting into a final and the chance to savour all the hullabaloo that goes with the big day.

Ballivor experienced that sinking feeling last year when they lost to Clann na nGael in the last four of the JFC - and it won't have been any compensation or consolation to them that the game in Trim was a thriller. Neither will the fact that Clann na nGael went on to win the title have offered any crumbs of comfort.

No doubt fired up by a desire to make up for last year's disappointment Ballivor have put together a sustained, unbeaten run this time around, defeating Boardsmill, Clonard and Carnaross to earn a place in the last four. against St Ultan's at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 1.30pm

St Ultan's now stand in their way of further progress but considering the kind of pace, the kind of skill and experience in the Ballivor ranks it's difficult to see them getting knocked off course at this stage.

All over the field they have players who can do the business. Players who are perhaps better known as hurlers, but who are also accomplished footballers. Keith Keoghan, Paddy Conneely, Nicky Potterton, Adam Gannon, Brendan McKeon and Kevin McKeon are only some among their ranks who have demonstrated their skills with sliotar and caman with Kildalkey and Killyo,n but who have now combined to propel Ballivor to within touching distance of the final. Fitness and motivation won't be a problem for Ballivor.

St Ultan's emerged from a three-team group that also included St Brigid's and Kilmainhamwood to get to this stage and they too have their marquee players with Mark Allen among them. He scored 1-7 in their victory over St Brigid's with 1-4 of that from play, an impressive haul indeed - and one that underlines the kind of threat he poses given half a chance.

The Saints have shown that if they can feed the ball into their forwards Allen - along with Johnny Foster, Gearoid Rennicks and Adam Rogers - have the capabilities to make a difference on the scoreboard. But can St Ultan's match the kind of forward threat, the kind of pace and power Ballivor have in their armoury? The answer to that has to be no.

When they get moving with their swift passing, their surging runs, Ballivor can be a force of nature, a real threat to even the most stubborn of defences at this level. They will ask a lot of probing questions of the St Ultan's defence. The kind of questions the Saints will not have been asked up to now.

Ballivor were left crestfallen after losing to Clann na nGael last year.

They are on a mission to make up for that bitter disappointment and it's impossible to see St Ultan's, despite their workrate, their application, their pride, stopping them. Verdict - Ballivor.

THE STORY SO FAR

First round - Ballivor 3-16, Boardsmill 2-14; second round - Ballivor 3-17, Clonard 1-5; third round - Ballivor 1-14, Carnaross 0-9.

First round - St Ultan's 1-12, K’wood 1-8; second round - St Ultan's 1-15, St Brigid's 2-8.